Volkswagen gives some gas with new TGI models

Significant reduction in emissions by fuelling with biogas produced with regeneration processes

New natural gas-powered TGI models are available to order now

Volkswagen has completely overhauled its natural gas models and is equipping its Polo and Golf TGI with a third natural gas tank. This allows the Polo TGI to now travel up to 60 kilometres further in pure CNG mode than its predecessor. The gain in range in the Golf TGI is up to 80 kilometres. In the Golf, a new 1.5 litre TGI four-cylinder engine with 96 kW / 130 PS ensures that none of the driving pleasure is lost. Driving with natural gas significantly reduces CO2 emissions because the combustion of CNG generally produces less CO2. An even better CO2 balance can be achieved by fuelling with biomethane or e-gas. Biomethane is extracted from plant residues; e-gas is produced from surplus green energy (power-to-gas), which are added to the fuels.

Anyone who already drives a CNG vehicle (CNG = compressed natural gas) also benefits from comparably low fuel prices in many countries. In Germany, for example, the cost saving compared to a diesel vehicle is currently 20 per cent, or 40 per cent compared to a petrol vehicle. Understandably, drivers of natural gas vehicles only want to use petrol in exceptional cases. Volkswagen has therefore equipped its natural gas models of the Polo TGI and Golf TGI with a third natural gas tank made of specially coated, high-strength steel. The Golf’s tank has a volume of 23 litres and increases the total CNG tank volume to 115 litres, or 17.3 kg respectively, which offers a range of up to 422 kilometres in WLTP.

On the Polo with 1.0 three-cylinder engine (66 kW / 90 PS) the additional tank carries 16.5 litres and extends the natural gas storage to 91.5 litres in total, or 13.8 kg respectively, meaning that the Polo can travel up to 368 kilometres on CNG in WLTP. As a back-up, both models come with a petrol tank – albeit a much smaller version.

For improved driving dynamics and efficiency, the Golf TGI comes with a new 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine, which is powerful, efficiency and environmentally friendly. Proof of this comes from its fuel consumption of just 3.6 kg – 3.5 kg natural gas over 100 kilometres, and CO2 emissions of just 98–95 g/km. The new 1.5-litre TGI engine in the Golf uses the innovative TGI Miller combustion process with a high compression ratio of 12.5:1, to increase efficiency and decrease CO2 emissions. A turbocharger with variable turbine geometry increases the boost pressure, adding more air into the cylinders. This allows the 1.5-litre TGI engine to accelerate powerfully at any time from low speeds.

Driving on natural gas is not only good for your wallet, it is also good for the environment. Compared to petrol or diesel, natural gas contains a significantly higher amount of energy and a lower carbon fraction. This means that driving in CNG mode produces around 25 per cent fewer CO2 emissions than with petrol. What is more, natural gas generally combusts with less emissions than petrol or diesel. The exhaust gas contains significantly less carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide (NOx), while the fraction of soot or fine particles is minimal.

The specified fuel consumption and emission data have been determined according to the measurement procedures prescribed by law. Since 1st September 2017, certain new vehicles are already being type-approved according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), a more realistic test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Starting on September 1st 2018, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) will be replaced by the WLTP in stages. Owing to the more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured according to the WLTP will, in many cases, be higher than those measured according to the NEDC. For further information on the differences between the WLTP and NEDC, please visit www.volkswagen.de/wltp.

We are currently still required by law to state the NEDC figures. In the case of new vehicles which have been type-approved according to the WLTP, the NEDC figures are derived from the WLTP data. It is possible to specify the WLTP figures voluntarily in addition until such time as this is required by law. In cases where the NEDC figures are specified as value ranges, these do not refer to a particular individual vehicle and do not constitute part of the sales offering. They are intended exclusively as a means of comparison between different vehicle types. Additional equipment and accessories (e.g. add-on parts, different tyre formats, etc.) may change the relevant vehicle parameters, such as weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics, and, in conjunction with weather and traffic conditions and individual driving style, may affect fuel consumption, electrical power consumption, CO2 emissions and the performance figures for the vehicle.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO2 emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the “Guide on the fuel economy, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new passenger car models”, which is available free of charge at all sales dealerships and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, D-73760 Ostfildern, Germany and at www.dat.de.